Working, school, stress.

[FROWNcat 24]

I have been in the US for almost 4 years now and so far I have only been able to find one part time job. I will be getting more serious about searching for jobs although the situation seems a bit hopeless. I only have a high school diploma but it seems like most places want you to have gone to college. Did any of you start working and studying while here? How stressful is it and how do you manage it all? Some local community colleges nearby offer online classes, which would probably work best for me. As much as I want to try to do both, I am scared I won't be able or that my credit score will be damaged because of student loans.

[TNJ17 1,329]

Sorry to be blunt but you can’t do anything in this world without a college degree. Don’t expect any real job positions without one. Everyone has to go through hurting your credit score with student loans. Can’t escape it. Finding scholarships isn’t that hard if you’re willing to do the work. 

[Springrain22 427]

9 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

Sorry to be blunt but you can’t do anything in this world without a college degree. Don’t expect any real job positions without one. Everyone has to go through hurting your credit score with student loans. Can’t escape it. Finding scholarships isn’t that hard if you’re willing to do the work. 

I don't have a college diploma and I make more than $100 000/year. Because I know how. It's all about who you are and what you want to achieve.

[hir0 49]

It's not easy but you can find something if you're not too picky and work for it. Remember, as immigrants we often have a linguistic advantage. I don't think that everyone needs a degree. School is not for everyone and some people are great entrepreneurs. I'm not one of those people. I'm a woman and came here 3 years ago. I took jobs I hated like (warehouse, gigs, kitchen aid, and now customer service for the past 2 years) and sacrificed any social life for work (50h/week) and college (15-18 credits/semester, beside summer, when I take 6-9credits). I didn't need loans for the community college, but now I do have it. I'm set to finish my bachelor with a minor in 3 years instead of 4. It's hard but if you know what you want you can do it. I'm making a lot of sacrifices, but no excuses....

[Bzlibem 111]

1 hour ago, FROWNcat said:

I have been in the US for almost 4 years now and so far I have only been able to find one part time job. I will be getting more serious about searching for jobs although the situation seems a bit hopeless. I only have a high school diploma but it seems like most places want you to have gone to college. Did any of you start working and studying while here? How stressful is it and how do you manage it all? Some local community colleges nearby offer online classes, which would probably work best for me. As much as I want to try to do both, I am scared I won't be able or that my credit score will be damaged because of student loans.

It’s doable. Both me and my husband do school/work full time. It is stressful, and certainly, requires some sacrifices. Online classes are nice, but they often require more work than in-person classes, so try to mix them up a bit (I.e take one half of your credits online, and the another half in person; it’s much easier). 

Regarding student loans, I noticed that a credit score is significantly lowered only for around 6 months due to lowered age of credit. However, in my case, it always goes back up after around 5-6 months (Federal loans). 

Edited February 21, 2018 by Bzlibem

[TBoneTX 45,567]

Thread is moved from General Immigration Discussion to the Finding Work forum.

[AshMarty 360]

I think the best way to start this process is to consider what you want for a career. Not all careers require a college degree (although most do look at this). 

 

I think college is really only useful if you have a specific job/career in mind -> nursing, doctor, health care professional, accountant, teacher, engineers, lawyers, etc (pretty much you leave school with a license or something similar along with your degree).

 

There are great careers without college: electrician, hair stylist, carpentry, auto mechanic 

 

I would not advise to go to school to just get a random degree because then you will still be jobless but just in more debt after.

 

I would find a career you are interesting in then figure out the path that is needed to achieve that career. 

Edited February 28, 2018 by AshMarty

[Isabella_NZ 54]

On 20/02/2018 at 6:40 PM, TNJ17 said:

Sorry to be blunt but you can’t do anything in this world without a college degree. Don’t expect any real job positions without one. Everyone has to go through hurting your credit score with student loans. Can’t escape it. Finding scholarships isn’t that hard if you’re willing to do the work. 

 

What a load of codswallop. 

 

 

[AshMarty 360]

On 2/20/2018 at 6:40 PM, TNJ17 said:

Sorry to be blunt but you can’t do anything in this world without a college degree. Don’t expect any real job positions without one. Everyone has to go through hurting your credit score with student loans. Can’t escape it. Finding scholarships isn’t that hard if you’re willing to do the work. 

My student loans actually really helped my credit score. Just make the regular payments on them and never miss a payment.  Even my mortgage broker stated that when I bought my house (it was pretty much my only form of debt I had when I bought my house). I call it my second mortgage, essentially. 

 

But I would not suggest being in 10s to 100s of thousand dollars in student loan debt.. haha. 

 

Four more years of payments then my student loan debt will be gone. 

 

I love my job and my career (I am a Physical Therapist which requires 7 years of very expensive education) but I do see friends like hairstylist and electricians that are making a killing and don't have student loan debt and I am jealous! 

Edited March 6, 2018 by AshMarty

[POA 178]

On ‎2‎/‎20‎/‎2018 at 5:33 PM, FROWNcat said:

I have been in the US for almost 4 years now and so far I have only been able to find one part time job. I will be getting more serious about searching for jobs although the situation seems a bit hopeless. I only have a high school diploma but it seems like most places want you to have gone to college. Did any of you start working and studying while here? How stressful is it and how do you manage it all? Some local community colleges nearby offer online classes, which would probably work best for me. As much as I want to try to do both, I am scared I won't be able or that my credit score will be damaged because of student loans.

I work full time and go to school part-time. It's not easy. But depending how you enjoy the classes you'll take and how much you want to have good grades, you'll be fine.

[POA 178]

On ‎2‎/‎20‎/‎2018 at 5:50 PM, Springrain22 said:

I don't have a college diploma and I make more than $100 000/year. Because I know how. It's all about who you are and what you want to achieve.

That is true! Although, $100k for me is not yet that close lol.

[Lelyze 49]

I have a full time job and go to school part time. It's hard but doable. Good luck!